The Early Childhood Council's two-day ECC Conference 2026, themed 'The Power of Choice', runs 31 July – 1 August 2026 at Tākina Convention Centre in Wellington, billed as New Zealand's largest gathering of early childhood education professionals.
The ECC Conference 2026 is the Early Childhood Council's flagship annual event, running across two days on 31 July and 1 August 2026 at the Tākina Convention Centre in Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington. Themed "The Power of Choice — Navigating challenges, building bright futures", it is billed by the organiser as New Zealand's premier and largest gathering of early childhood education (ECE) professionals, combining keynotes, practical workshops, panel discussions and an exhibition hall of 30-plus suppliers.
The conference is organised by the Early Childhood Council (ECC), the largest membership body for childcare centre owners and managers in New Zealand's ECE sector. The Council is based in Wellington and runs the conference annually alongside year-round professional development, advocacy work and its awards programme.
The programme is aimed squarely at ECE centre owners, managers, licensees and teachers — from new kaiako to multi-site operators. Sessions span leadership and governance, centre finances and sustainability, ERO preparedness, pedagogy and te ao Māori practice. The confirmed keynote line-up includes journalist and MC Jehan Casinader, author Abbas Nazari, Mana founder Himal Randeniya, speaker Lisa O'Neill and ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner, plus a live "Three Gals One Beehive" political panel. Session times run Friday 8:45am–4:30pm and Saturday 9:30am–5:00pm, with a separately booked Members' Lunch, Centre Tours and a Gala Dinner & Awards Evening.
Tākina Convention Centre sits in the heart of Wellington's cultural precinct, directly opposite the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa and a short walk from the central city and waterfront. Opened in 2023, it is Wellington's purpose-built convention venue, offering flexible exhibition and plenary space with views over the city and harbour. The organiser has partnered with AttendNZ to arrange discounted accommodation for attendees.
As an association conference drawing owners, managers and educators from across the country to a single Wellington venue, ECC Conference 2026 is a meaningful piece of domestic association business for the capital. Its scale (positioned as the sector's largest event), two-day catered format, 30-plus exhibitor hall and social programme make it a solid example of the recurring professional-association conference market that anchors activity at Tākina.
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